The Counter-terrorism Rapid Response (Italian: Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego, or ATPI) force formed in 1983, is a special police unit of the Guardia di Finanza tasked with counterterrorism operations and the protection of VIPs and places of interest in Italy. The ATPI participated in operations in Albania, Kosovo and Hungary. History The ATPI, was founded in 1983, during the so-called "years of lead", is the component for special operations of the Guardia di Finanza. Born as an evolution of the 5 Supervision and Escort Values Sections at the Bank of Italy and 3 companies (Rome, Naples and Loreto) the personnel SVATPI (Scorta Antiterrorismo Pronto Impiego) was "creaoi" in 1977 in order to contrast the actions of the Red Brigades against vans carrying the Bank of Italy's values. The SVATPI will later be used as escort corps for several prominent personalities, including the then Minister of Finance (who, according to confessions received by a terrorist, would have been at the center of a failed abduction plan precisely because of the presence of the operators). The Courses S.V.A.T.-P.I. altogether 16, the last in the summer of 1981. Task The unit is specialized in counter-terrorism activity, in charge of the supervision of airports, ports and other targets considered sensitive. It also operates in the fight against illicit trafficking, with specific regard to the area of organized crime, smuggling, drugs, weapons and illegal immigration. Today's AT-P.I. is also used as a mobile department to support the operations of the territorial departments, deploying, for example, teams of marksmen during the operations for the seizure of drugs, or tactical units for high-risk tasks. The companies that make up the department can also be deployed as riot units in serious situations of threat to public order. The men of the AT-P.I are also used in the escort service for the Minister of Economy. The AT-P.I. is also trained in the liberation of hostages, and has also engaged in missions abroad. Organization The AT-P.I. appears to be divided into Companies, which in turn are made up of "AT-PI Operating Teams", consisting of 7/9 elements, and incorporated within territorial departments, such as companies and groups. The number of marksmen are instead present only in some departments, and mainly in large cities (almost exclusively used in the airport). The AT-P.I. can also be classified in sections of 50 elements, in turn divided into teams of 10 men, usually headed by an